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CV & LinkedIn

Why Your CV May Be Getting Ignored

Adebukola Ajetunmobi · 7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Quote graphic by Adebukola Ajetunmobi advising that applying for jobs is a strategy game, not a numbers game, and that 5 tailored applications beat 50 random ones.

You can apply for dozens of jobs and still get no response. Sometimes, the problem isn't the number of jobs you're applying for. It is the CV you're sending.

As a recruiter, I’ve received CVs that were clearly not updated in years.

I’ve even received a CV where the applicant took a picture of the document and sent it to me. 😂

And then we wonder why there is no response.

The truth is, recruiters can often tell very quickly when a CV is generic.

If you're sending the exact same CV to every company, you may be missing opportunities simply because your CV does not clearly show why you are a good fit for that particular role.

Your CV should match the job

A tailored CV does not mean changing your experience or pretending you have skills you don't have.

It means presenting your real experience in a way that connects with what the employer is looking for.

Before applying, take time to:

  • Read the job description carefully.

  • Identify the skills and requirements the employer mentioned.

Highlight your relevant experience.

  • Use relevant keywords from the job description where they genuinely apply to you.

  • Remove information that has little or no connection to the role.

  • Make your most relevant skills easy to find.

The goal is to make it easy for the recruiter to answer one important question:

“Why should I consider this person for this role?”

More applications don't always mean better results

It can be tempting to apply for 50 jobs in one day because you want to increase your chances.

But sending the same generic CV to all 50 roles may not be as effective as sending five carefully tailored applications.

Quality matters.

Your CV is often your first introduction to a recruiter. Give it the attention it deserves.

Final Thought

A tailored CV does not guarantee you a job.

But it can significantly improve your chances of getting noticed and invited for an interview.

50 random applications won't necessarily beat 5 tailored ones.

Be strategic, not desperate.

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